The first place new players (including me) usually go is the chat. The other players there welcome the new players 8/10 times and make them feel welcome. I've seen numerous occasions where a mod, and even regular players will assist newcomers that enter the chat in need of help. Removing the chat can be a good thing or a bad thing.
On the Bad side, new players can no longer come to chat for help and other players no longer have that instantaneous messaging service that many people prefer over pb2 inbox messaging.
On the good side however, as we all know, a lot of players go to chat to pick a fight, spam the chat
, or just complain about the staff. With the chat gone, these players no longer have an outlet to cause trouble, and any new players aren't subjected to those bad players. Many of you may not realize that the chat is a reflection of the community. If new players enter the chat and see people arguing all the time, or complaining about the game, or just being rude, they may decide that this isn't the community for them and leave. This isn't what we want. What we need is for new players to actually feel welcome when they first play the game.
just my 2 cents. Also we need to put together a proper funeral for Server. He was a good man. He didn't deserve this.